Young family considering Pittsburgh to relocate to!! (Lebanon, Wilkinsburg: apartments, rentals)

[southcitykitty]

Hello!
We are a young family from Saint Louis. My husband, daughter and I are looking to move to start fresh. We are growing tired of the attitude and crime in the city and counties of St. Louis. We thought Pittsburgh would be an option on our list as it's very similar in size to the city of St. Louis. It also has half the amount of crime. We are looking for an apartment, condo, or house to rent for under $900 a month. But we are lost as to what area to look in. We are in our mid-20's and love to go out, see a movie, get drinks... when we have a babysitter. We don't want to live in a very loud neighborhood... just in the vicinity of a younger crowd. Is it better to live in the city or in an outer suburb? Our daughter is two. What are the best parks or attractions in the city for a younger child? Also, what areas are the safest and not outrageously expensive?

Thanks!

[Craziaskowboi]

Hell, you could probably buy for less than $900 per month.

Anyway, if you're looking for a youthful vibe, stay in, or very near, city limits. Most of the suburbs are made up of your typical middle-aged parents and their bratty teenagers.

The first neighborhood I thought of was Regent Square. It's inexpensive, and it straddles the Pittsburgh city limits, with half of it in the city and the other half in the adjacent suburb of Edgewood. It has a small business district, plus Edgewood Town Center nearby, so all the basics can easily be taken care of.

It's right off I-376, and it's convenient to the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University, plus Kennywood (amusement) Park, Sandcastle and The Waterfront. It's right next to Frick Park, which is the largest park in the city of Pittsburgh.

[BrianTH]

We are raising a now-four-year-old in Regent Square. It is a great neighborhood for young kids--lots of kid-friendly and well-used amenities right in the neighborhood (which is very pleasant to walk around), plus easy access to most of the other good stuff for kids around town (popular spots include the Zoo and Aquarium, Children's Museum, National Aviary, Science Museum, Heinz History Museum, and Carnegie Natural History Museum, plus Frick and Schenley Parks, and the North Shore Riverfront Park). The neighborhood has access to the East Busway and other good transit service. Generally, despite overlapping four municipalities (Pittsburgh, Edgewood, Swissvale, and Wilkinsburg), it has a very strong sense of community. The one big downside, though, is the school situation is complicated (workable, but not without some effort in many cases).

A few other central, safe, quiet, family-friendly, and not-too-expensive options to consider would be Highland Park, Morningside, and Greenfield. There are also a variety of nice suburbs, but I'm not sure they would be ideal fits given what you have said so far.

[southcitykitty]

Thanks so much for all the information!!

[Acrophile]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

A few other central, safe, quiet, family-friendly, and not-too-expensive options to consider would be Highland Park, Morningside, and Greenfield. There are also a variety of nice suburbs, but I'm not sure they would be ideal fits given what you have said so far.

I would be interested in hearing about these. I'm interested in a place that's quiet, safe, definitely family-friendly (two under 5), with good schools, and not too expensive. I don't drive, so bus routes and walking friendly sidewalks and distances would be helpful. The twist to this is that I would prefer something a little less "inner city". I know, that's a tall order. Your post intrigued me, though. If you want to start a new thread about this, OK, or continue here, whichever seems more appropriate.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by Acrophile

I would be interested in hearing about these. I'm interested in a place that's quiet, safe, definitely family-friendly (two under 5), with good schools, and not too expensive. I don't drive, so bus routes and walking friendly sidewalks and distances would be helpful. The twist to this is that I would prefer something a little less "inner city". I know, that's a tall order. Your post intrigued me, though. If you want to start a new thread about this, OK, or continue here, whichever seems more appropriate.

I'd start a new thread if I were you--you may get more responses.

But to get you started: there are some walkable suburbs with good public schools. Add in good transit service, though, and the list gets cut down, and the remainder are a little pricey (because they are desirable for all these reasons)--the two I would mention are Mt. Lebanon (on the T, our light rail system) and Aspinwall (good bus service). I'd also note a lot of the city neighborhoods are pretty close to suburban in feel ("inner city" isn't a term with much relevance in Pittsburgh), so I wouldn't rule them out.

[Copanut]

Originally Posted by Gnutella

Anyway, if you're looking for a youthful vibe, stay in, or very near, city limits. Most of the suburbs are made up of your typical middle-aged parents and their bratty teenagers.

.

Go pound salt.

[Sideblinded]

I love Regent Square but can a family with a preschooler get a decent 2+ bedroom place in the safe areas, (cross your fingers the little girl gets into the Environmental school) for $900 a month? No idea if this includes utilities and parking.

Regent square crosses 2-3 school districts and the parents need to know how major of a difference this is. Also many places advertised as Regent Square are not what I would consider Regent Square. It is a pretty small area.

I do love the area, you just have to know it, do research and not accept a Craigslist ad as the truth.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by Sideblinded

I love Regent Square but can a family with a preschooler get a decent 2+ bedroom place in the safe areas, (cross your fingers the little girl gets into the Environmental school) for $900 a month? No idea if this includes utilities and parking.

Regent square crosses 2-3 school districts and the parents need to know how major of a difference this is. Also many places advertised as Regent Square are not what I would consider Regent Square. It is a pretty small area.

I do love the area, you just have to know it, do research and not accept a Craigslist ad as the truth.

Regent Square Apartments, Townhomes & Studios for Rent In Pittsburgh, PA

Here you can find numerous 2-BR rentals for under $900/month in Regent Square.

[Sideblinded]

If someone rented this and wanted to send their child to school they would be in the Faison feeder pattern.

http://www.regentsquarerentals.com/l...=68&src=search

I would not advise this as a great idea to a newcomer with a 4 year old child. Regent Square zig zags, and there is no guarantee anyone will get into a magnet or charter school.

Pittsburgh Faison PreK-8 | General Information

It is reality and parents have to do a lot of research.